Time for Tea

I am a staunch Republican. I am a purist as far as conservative political thought goes. However, I am not so ignorant to believe that one can get things done by not compromising. Thus, I believe that the Tea Party is a threat to the Republican establishment.
When Clinton was president he tried to push health care reform to only be shut down by the Republicans who came into power. The weeks following lead to gridlock. It lead to a complete government shutdown. Many federal employees were laid off, public facilities were de-funded, national parks were shut down and so on. The Republicans at the time decided to be the party of "no." They decided to write off any spending bill that came across their desk. They had an opportunity to get things done and establish a new view of the Republican party. But instead they cut off cross talk. No compromise. This lead to Clinton coming out smelling like Roses. The Republicans looked like a party who couldn't get anything done. History repeats itself.
Now that Republicans are back in power in the House the same situation may happen again. However, the Republican veterans like Mitch Mconnel and John Boehner know how politics works. They know that in order to accomplish the best for the American people they need to compromise with the man who wield s the veto pen. The Tea Party threatens progress. They will force Congress into a gridlock if they do not learn how it works on capitol hill. I whole heartedly agree with everything that a Tea Party Republican believes. However, I am a realist and I do know that you may have to vote for a spending bill in order to accomplish the greater good.
This does not mean that one has to compromise their beliefs. Quite the opposite. For every spending bill demand that there must be equal cuts. Compromise does not mean giving in. It means doing the best for the people you represent. Boehner has a bill that currently calls for permanent ban on earmarks. President Obama agrees that earmarks must be significantly reduced and regulated but a ban would hurt some state projects. This is a perfect time for the Tea Party to get with Boehner and find a compromise to limit this waisted spending.
I wish I could live in a world where every conservative principle that I and the Tea Party stands for governs. But I am a realist not an idealist. I know that it is not possible; our country is too big with too many competing thoughts. I hope the best for the country and hope the Tea Party learns how politics work on Capitol Hill.

I can already hear the counter arguments: politics as usual is what is wrong with Congress in the first place. True and I would love to see a change, but the Tea Party is not strong enough to change it just yet. Maybe in a couple of election cycles, but not yet. If the Tea Party Republicans plan to say No like they said in the 2010 elections then that could pose a threat to establishment Republicans (who far outnumber and have more votes) by not getting anything done and gridlocking. Worst yet (and I think the Tea Party and every other Republican can agree) this will make Obama come out smelling like a Rose like Clinton did years before.

"Love Like the New Testament, Fight Like the Old."
Alfred L. C.